Fifteen members of a Preston-based drugs gang were today jailed for a total of almost 90 years for conspiracy to supply £1.2 million worth of heroin and crack cocaine .

Ringleader Anthony Watkins received the heaviest sentence at Preston Crown Court - receiving a custodial sentence of 12 years.

Members of a Preston-based drugs

The court heard that an organised gang working out of the Callon estate dealt drugs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Judge Heather Lloyd told the men they had “peddled misery” in search of huge profits.

Preston man Anthony Watkins, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment; Michael Dineley, of Liverpool, was sentenced to 9 years imprisonment;David Mochrie, of Prenton, was sentenced to 9 years and 4 months imprisonment; Kawsib Hussain, of Burrow Road, Preston, was sentenced to 8 years and 1 month imprisonment; Mark Watkins, of Waldon Street, Preston, was sentenced to 6 years and 9 months imprisonment; Sam Knowles, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 6 years and 6 months imprisonment; Jason Jackson, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 6 years and 6 months imprisonment; Stephen Foster, of Liverpool, was sentenced to 5 years and 4 months imprisonment; Daniel McGuiness, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 5 years and 2 months imprisonment; Wayne Small, of New Hall Lane, Preston, was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment; Matthew Botham, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 4 years and 8 months imprisonment; Joshua Knowles, of Gammull Lane, Ribbleton, was sentenced to 4 years and 4 months imprisonment; James Wilkinson, of Cotty Brook Close, Lea, was sentenced to 1 year imprisonment; Ryan Blakey, of Lawson Street, Preston was sentenced to 3 years and 45 days in prison. A youth defendant was sentenced to 2 years and 299 days imprisonment

Brett Gerrity, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said this afternoon: “Today this organised crime gang have been taken off the streets of Preston for a significant length of time.”